Quantum nanoscale sensing

Quantum sensors use quantum objects (atoms, molecules or defects) to detect physical quantities with unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity. The development of novel quantum sensors is regarded as strategically important across a range of areas, including for biomedical research, via the detection of cells, molecules and processes in the body, as well as for extending our fundamental understanding of condensed matter.

Atomic-scale optically active spin defects in solid-state materials are nanoscale quantum sensors that operate under ambient conditions. Over the past 10 years, defects in diamond, notably the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centre, have been developed to probe nanoscale magnetism, strain, and temperature gradients in materials including ferromagnets, superconductors, and biological cells [1]. For detection of static magnetic field, the NV centre can provide < 𝜇T sensitivity with 10s of nanometer spatial resolution.

Our research group has recently discovered a new defect for nanoscale quantum sensing at room temperature, which is formed in a two-dimensional material, hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) [2]. This defect displays several attractive attributes for quantum magnetometry: 1.) it can sense vectorial magnetic field with 𝜇T sensitivity; 2.) it displays a large dynamic range for magnetic field sensing; 3.) the defect can be formed atomically close to a surface giving potential for <5 nm resolution. Combined with the advantages of wafer-scale 2D material growth and fabrication, this system presents huge opportunities to expand nanoscale quantum sensing.

This project will focus on demonstrating quantum magnetometry with the hBN probe. The project will involve working on a bespoke AFM-confocal microscope, equipped with optically detected magnetic resonance capabilities, and development of the sensing approach, to demonstrate nanoscale magnetometry of other 2D magnetic materials. 

[1] Rovny, J., Gopalakrishnan, S., Jayich, A.C.B. et al. Nanoscale diamond quantum sensors for many-body physics. Nat Rev Phys 6, 753–768 (2024).

[2] C. M. Gilardoni,* S. Eizagirre Barker*, C. L. Curtin, S. A. Fraser, O. F.J. Powell, D. K. Lewis, X. Deng, A. J. Ramsay, C. Li, I. Aharonovich, H. H. Tan, M.Atatüre and H. L. Stern. A single spin in hexagonal boron nitride for vectorial quantum magnetometry. Nature Communications, 16, 4927 (2025).

Candidates will be considered in the January 2026 admissions field which has an application deadline of 08 January 2026.

Image: John Jarman